Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-02-24
HOUT OF THE COMMON
Or How Happiness Game From
Disappointment.

And the sunlight danced in at the
window and turned her hair TO shining
gold; touched the crisp gray locks of
John Rogers, and made a friendly cir
gle of light and warmth about the pair
Ell could not go against mamma $
Eishes, YOU know" the young lady
said gently, playing with the ring on
her left hand. ''She has had long
talk with me this morning, and, though
Iknew she disapprovee, Of our engage
snent, ] never realized before how her
heart was set against it,
sand you do not think by patient
waiting-by proving how earnest we
arc"
No, John. Mother can not look on
it us we do; she realizes all the disad-
santages and none Of the hopes that
we have built on; and then the
young lady glanced down once at her
delicate hands before she continued
'would it be quite fair, John, for me to
Nait, and let all other opportunities
glide by, and grow old and sad while 1
Waited?'
John started. There was so much
caution suggested in the words. No
doubt she was but repeating them after
her mother, but they fell chillingly on
bis ears from those young lips.
st IS true, Maud" he answered.
while look OF pain fingered on his
face. s|You shall not let other chances
Of happiness slip by because you are
bound to me. 1t is not the love 1
thought you gave me-a love which
trusts and hopes in patient faithfulness.
Kam no longer young. dear. but have
risked much on this dream of love COM
ing late in life, but coming for the first
time, Maud, and''-his voice broke
staying with me-always."
He arose and turned partly away
from her, quite still. leaning his arms
on the mantelpiece. Maud Branson
roses too, and came toward him, her
delicates beautiful face full of concern
There was nothing about John Rogers
to attract notice. Ike was very plain
man, no longer young, but he had at
least some charm of mind or soul which
had won the love of a very beautiful
womans Her dress chung in graceful
folds to her slender figure. fillet of
blue bound the golden hair, which was
coiled in classic simplicity about her
head. He turned and looked at her,
taking in all the "details of the picture;
then he put his head down deiectedly
on his crossed arms. Maud extended
one hand appealingly.
John, you will take it?''
EYES. Maud" he answered, drawing
Mis- breath hard. az take it--and re-
nouncc it," He patted the soft surface
once OF twice, thoughtfully. "All that
came with it, and all that goes with it.
Maud, goodbye"
There was such a noble sadness in
his face that it touched her. The
proud head bent lower. until it rested
on John Rogers shoulder. She raised
herself with eyes still wet.
Goodbye, John. The world can't
give just what we want"
No, dear. What is it?''
Your ring"
He took the pretty sapphire ring he
had placed on her hand one day with
only half-realized rapture and slipped
it in his breast pocket. 1t was worth
less now. And so John Rogers left the
house and threaded his way down the
busy streets. The sunlight still danced
over him warm and beautiful. kissing
his grave face, his hair, his hands.
land let all other opportunities
glide by;'" he repeated the words to
himself, ruefully. Its not the old
fashioned love; not the love 1 used to
dream of when l was boy. Perhaps
there isn't any nowadays
He looked very tired as he ran up
the steps and rang at the door OF his
boarding-house. Clarice noticed it,
his landlady's daughter.
You look tired, Mr.. Rogers look
ing up from her work and speaking
Through the open door.